Can Someone suggest

[outwest77]

Im getting ready to leave for the phils again, 6wks trip to see my gf.
Can anyone suggest fun things to do, places to go in phils on Luzon island or mindoro, or in visayas also.
Last trip i did many things but am open to suggestions, and anything
in manila also is appreciated.

Yahooooooooooooooooo, its trip time again.

[outwest77]

... in response to Can Someone suggest , posted by outwest77 on Aug 11, 2002

For the suggestions, thanks, i will put link pages
to sites for those locations on my phils travel link page.
Then i will access it at internet cafe in manila and my
gf and I will decide what to do, It should be an interesting trip.
Thanks again, all

[Jeff S]

... in response to Can Someone suggest , posted by outwest77 on Aug 11, 2002

She writes:

"The LIBINGAN NG MGA BAYANI (American Cemetery inside Fort Bonifacio)  was a revelation and a wonderful surprise for me.   I sai it for the first time recently  and it was BEAUTIFUL, just breathtaking. Quiet and so serene."

"He asked about Dumaguete.  One can fly to Dumaguete from Manila via Cebu Pacific  (no PAL).  In Dumaguete,  BETHEL  Hotel was very inexpensive and yet very good and decent even to a lone female tourist like me."

"In Dumaguete, one must never miss the chance to go to ANTULANG resort which is (just) less than an hour drive from Dumaguete City.  Arrangments may be made from the travel office right at the ground floor of Bethel Hotel."

"In Antipolo,  there is a restaurant called the Crescent which is very quaint.  Truly filipino and there is no set menu.  One can choose from the dishes the owners dishes out  from what was sold in the market for the day.  The great thing is,  the owner is a popular artist (pottery)  and one can buy her beautiful earthenwares at the restaurant.  On certain days, normally on weekends,  she also does actual pottery."

"Speaking of Antipolo,  there is a small but nice hotel on Sumulong Hiway called, THE SEVEN SUITES.  Their rooftop is a beautiful place to unwind on a clear and moonlight night.  One can see Manila and QC from up there."

Thought you'd enjoy..

- Jeff S

[shadow]

... in response to Can Someone suggest , posted by outwest77 on Aug 11, 2002

I must second the motion for the Taal volcano area.

In the Visayas Bohol is a nice day trip, or if you want an overnighter and want a quiet place to spend the night there with your Mahal, Nuts Huts was unforgetable. The Tarsier monkeys are a must see if in the area, and within a mile of Nuts Huts.

I read on another website that Dumaguette is one of the next targets of the Abu Sayyaf. Unknown if there is any truth to this.

Happy trails!

Larry.

[Jimbo]

... in response to Can Someone suggest , posted by outwest77 on Aug 11, 2002

Outwest,

In Manila, Intramuros (the old walled city) is a nice walkabout with things like the Rizal Shrine and the Manila Cathedral.  A tour of Corregidor Island is interesting if you like WWII history.  Tagaytay/Taal Volcano is an enjoyable daytrip from the city.

In the south, Alona Beach in Bohol (Panglao Island) is great for a resort stay or for superb diving.  Camiguin Island is sleepy, beautiful and inexpensive; around P500/night for a place on the water like Tia's Cottages.  The diving on Camiguin is not spectacular (some dead coral areas) but it's very good in some spots (lots of turtles) and very inexpensive.  I think I paid P320 each day for 2 dives, boat and gear included, not including tips for the divemaster and boatman (at Jasmine Divers in Agoho).

Jim

[Jimbo]

... in response to Re: suggestions, posted by Jimbo on Aug 12, 2002

actually, 2 dive was P1600 , boat and gear included.  And P100 tip for dive man and P100 boat man.

Sally :O)

[Dave H]

... in response to Can Someone suggest , posted by outwest77 on Aug 11, 2002

Hey Outwest,

Have a great time! FUN...I just go to Mindanao and play hide and seek with the Abu Sayyaf and NPA. ;o)))

Dave H.

[Willy]

... in response to Can Someone suggest , posted by outwest77 on Aug 11, 2002

hope they don't sound too corny

In Manila:
  Go for a long walk in Rizal Park (avoid the calesa drivers)...Luneta is infamous for lovers.
  How about the Enchanted Kingdom? I have never been there, but have family that enjoyed it.
  Take her to one of the Kamayan restaurants...they are a chain, and very good.
  Go to one of the big malls, if that is your thing, they are very interesting and entertaining. Also go to a movie, very cheap and the aircon is a welcome relief.

North Luzon:
  Vigan, Ilocos Norte, Baguio, and all in that area. Beautiful travel and very scenic. Need more info, ask, I was just up there in April.
  Make a trip to Hundred Islands....once again, I was just there and thoroughly enjoyed it!!

If I think of anything else, I'll let you know, hope some of this maybe helped,

Godspeed,
Willy

[Humabdos]

... in response to Can Someone suggest , posted by outwest77 on Aug 11, 2002

Lozon, Vigan, Weather permiting from Vigan head to Sagada, Bontoc and down to Banaue.  From Banaue go over to Baguio  (your sweety will need to hit the Mall after all that time in the Mountain province!)  I have never made this trip at this time of year if it's raining don't go! Vigan would still be ok.  In Boracay I think you might find a bargan this time of year but I'm not sure. Cebu is a goog base to see Bohol or Siquijor as is Dumaguete over on Negros.

I would HIGHLY recommend Camiguin Island if you feel a little adventurous.   Around Manila head to lake Taal

Bring your rain coat! July and August are the wet months in the PI It's also the middle of Typhoon season!

Have fun!  Humabdos

[Kreeger]

... in response to Re: Can Someone suggest , posted by Humabdos on Aug 11, 2002

.... I am planning our honeymoon trip to be on Camiguin. Is this a good choice? What are some fun things to do there (outside of the cottage)? I am a certified diver, but she is not.... apart from snorkeling, anything other than diving is what I am after. The guide book I have doesn't mention too much to do on the island.

Thanks

[Ray]

... in response to Hey Hum...., posted by Kreeger on Aug 12, 2002

Kreegs,

The reason that the guide book didn’t mention too much to do on the island is probably because there really isn’t much to do there. There is no night life to speak of and the main town of Mabajo (OOPS! Mambajo) rolls up the “sidewalks” and closes by 10 p.m.

The main attraction on Camiguin is the tour route which includes old volcanoes, new volcanoes, waterfalls, cold springs, hot springs, lukewarm springs, ruined churches, a sunken cemetery that you can’t see at high tide, and a stupid sandbar (White Island). Overall, these spots are great for taking photos and I found Katibiwasan Falls awesome. You can rent a vehicle and driver/tour guide for around 30-40 bucks a day and you can hit all the popular spots in about 6-7 hours or less.

The beaches aren’t that great and the roads are terrible, but the weather is a little cooler than on the mainland and the people are among the friendliest that I’ve met in the Phils. Overall, it’s a good place for a honeymoon because it’s peaceful and low-keyed, but I wouldn’t recommend spending a whole lot of time there unless you plan on spending the majority of your time in your room (LOL!).

We stayed in the honeymoon cottage right on the “beach” at Cabuya-An resort near Mabajo (OOPS! Mambajo). The grounds are well landscaped and it’s very quiet, but the rooms are in need of repair like most older resorts in the islands. It’s a good thing that it didn’t rain while we were there because I could lay on the bed and see sunlight coming through the thatched roof. The beach is very rocky, but the water is clean and refreshing. I think we paid around P1100 and had to book the room through a travel agent in Cagayan De Oro because it was Easter week and everything else was full up.

IMHO, there is one “must see” on Camiguin. You should plan on stopping for lunch at the J&A Fishpen. The food is fantastic if you like seafood and VERY cheap too. You can scoop your own lunch out of the water and they’ll grill it for you while you enjoy a cold San Mig. You can eat at tables over the laggon and there are no spoons, forks, or plates. You eat off of banana leaves with your hands. They even have very reasonably priced air-conditioned rooms available. I didn’t see the rooms, but next trip we’re going to stay there and eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner on the premises :-). Anyway, it’s on the lagoon near Binoni and I highly recommend a stop there.

Ray

[Humabdos]

... in response to Hey Hum...., posted by Kreeger on Aug 12, 2002

Camiguin would be one of my top choices for a honeymoon.

Fun things to do outside the cottage ? he he he! How about lounging on the beach while your sweety feeds you Lanzones?

Renting a motor bike is a MUST on Camiguin.  I spent most of my time Exploring the Island. Snorleling at the sunken grave yard is a must! Also the Tangub Hot Springs is really nice. Cold springs ,hot springs, water falls, and Volcano's
Don't stay at Caves resort or the Tree house the owner(Galeardo) is a real A1 filipino Arse hole rip off!

If you like hiking you can climb Mt Hibok Hibok.

Congrats and have fun!
Humabdos

[Kreeger]

... in response to Re: Hey Hum...., posted by Humabdos on Aug 12, 2002

... I was actually thinking about Caves, but not now. What do you know about Paras Beach Resort or Paradiso Hillside Cottages? I definitely plan on renting a MC...

Thanks

[Humabdos]

... in response to Thanks.., posted by Kreeger on Aug 12, 2002

Paradiso is up by Ardient hot springs I met the guy who owns the place he a Italian. He rents motor bikes and will give you a package deal. The  restaurant he owns down by the main road sucked and was over priced I thought, maybe it's better now?? I've never heard of Paras but it's been a few years sense I was there last. Caves Resort is a dump owned by a arse hole, he owns the dive shop too. I wouldn't even send G.K there! lol

Jimbo might have more current info.  
Humabdos

[Jimbo]

... in response to Re: Thanks.., posted by Humabdos on Aug 13, 2002

Paras Resort is one of the most expensive - swimming pool, AC, $50 per night.

Hum is right, Caves/Genesis Divers is a shaky bunch.  I made reservations to dive with them and when I showed up nobody was around.  The shop was closed and the boat wasn't even there.  The Caves Resort also seemed closed; maybe it was just empty.  There were rumors that the place was being sold.

I ended up going to Jasmine and found the people there to be very friendly and helpful.

Jim